Military children are resilient, flexible, and strong. They move every one to three years, bloom in school midyear, and continue their favorite sport or activity around the world. Within the challenges they are presented, they grow ideas and projects. Do you know an outstanding military child? You can nominate that military child for Operation Homefront’s Military Child of the Year® Award.
The Military Child of the Year® (MCOY) Awards were created to recognize such resilience and achievement in seven military children. Each branch — Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard — is represented, with one child from each branch being recognized for their scholarship, philanthropy, leadership, extracurricular involvement, among other criteria. In addition to the recognition, the winners receive a trip to Washington, D.C., a laptop, and a cash award of $10,000.
The seventh award is the Military Child of the Year® Award for Innovation. This award is for the military child who designed a bold and creative solution to address a local, regional, or global challenge. An expert panel created by Booz Allen Hamilton is made to evaluate the nominees and present the award. The winner of this award receives the same award and donated business expertise to help them move their winning design from an idea to a solution in the market.
Recipients of the awards and their families will go to Washington, D.C. on April 16, 2019, for events, tours, and activities leading up to the Awards Gala on Thursday, April 18, 2019.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants have to meet all of the following requirements:
- Be a legal dependent of a service member or military retiree. Finalists must provide DEERS enrollment form.
- Be between the ages of 13-18 at the time of the nomination.
- Be able to travel to Washington, D.C., to attend the MCOY Gala and other events (April 16-19, 2019).
- Agree to a background check (required of finalists).
- Provide letters of recommendation (if selected as a semifinalist).
- Be willing to participate in media and donor opportunities.
Nominations
The nomination and application period opened September 13, 2018, and will close December 5, 2018, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time.
To nominate a military child, visit the nominations page on the Military Child of the Year website. Complete the nomination form, including five short answers or the Innovation Award nomination form.
More Information
The FAQ page at MilitaryChildoftheYear.org can answer last-minute questions you may have before submitting an application. The website provides a wealth of program details, including profiles of previous recipients. If you still have questions after clicking around the site, you can contact Jenny Valderas, Director of Family Support Services at 210-549-4603 or Jenny.Valderas@operationhomefront.org.
Photo Credits: Unsplash
